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Creator Spotlight: Linda Bailey

At Tundra Books, we want you to get to know and love our creators as much as you know and love their books. Our creator spotlight series will introduce you to the people behind some of your favorite titles . . . this week, say hello to Linda Bailey!

About the Author:

LINDA BAILEY has written nearly forty books for children, including The Three Little Mittens, Carson Crosses Canada, Princesses Versus Dinosaurs and If You Happen to Have a Dinosaur. Her books have been translated into twenty languages and have won multiple awards such as the Ontario Blue Spruce and Silver Birch Awards, the California Young Reader Medal, the Georgia Children’s Picturebook Award and the UK School Library Association Information Book Award. Linda has been honored for her exceptional body of work in children’s literature with the Vicky Metcalf Award. She lives in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Q&A with Linda Bailey:

Lena the Chicken (But Really A Dinosaur) is such a fun, imaginative and unique story. What sparked the idea for this story?

Chickens! And dinosaurs! I am fond of both. I once spent a few weeks “chicken-sitting” for my friend Margriet Ruurs, looking after her flock of chickens on Salt Spring Island while she went on holiday. As for dinosaurs, the first Jurassic Park movie really pulled me in and then I got hooked on all the stunning paleological discoveries that have happened over the past 30 years. In the end, it was the connection between birds and dinosaurs that triggered this story.

What is it about dinosaurs that inspires you to keep including them in your stories?

Well, they’re just so . . . odd. Aren’t they? There’s such incredible variety and eccentricity in the way they looked and behaved. Also, sheer size! And how amazing is it that they lived hundreds of millions of years ago — and we can still walk among their gigantic fossilized skeletons in museums? Generally what I feel is awe and wonder.

Was there someone that was the inspiration behind Lena?

I have never met an actual chicken like Lena. But I have known plenty of brave girls and women who have faced up to bullies like the weasel in this story. And on a personal level, I once faced a scarily large wild emu on a solitary walk in back-country Australia. I wasn’t as brave as Lena, but I did let out a loud squawk of fright. (Happy ending: the big bird ran away — just like the weasel in my story.)

If Lena were to leave the farm, what kind of adventures do you think she would want to experience?

That’s easy. In this book, Lena ends up being a guest of honor at a school science fair — and she just loves being the center of attention! I’m pretty sure Lena would want to visit lots of schools and repeat that experience again and again.

What do you hope children, and even their parents, take away after reading this book?

I hope they take away a smile and a few laughs, along with some curiosity about the evolutionary connection between dinosaurs and chickens. I also hope kids will notice that Lena was able to find her inner courage in a scary situation. And if a chicken can do that, so can they! 

Books by Linda Bailey:

Lena the Chicken (But Really a Dinosaur!)
Written by Linda Bailey
Illustrated by K-Fai Steele
56 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover
ISBN 9781774880135 | Tundra Books
Lena lives in a chicken coop, and she looks a lot like a chicken. But deep down, she’s convinced that she’s a . . . DINOSAUR! She can feel it in her bones. Lena just doesn’t understand the scaredy chickens in her family, and they don’t understand her either, with her ferociousness and big ideas. The people on the farm are also baffled . . . except for little Madeline, who thinks Lena has PERSONALITY. And then, when a dastardly weasel turns up and threatens the coop, Lena’s fearful family chickens out AGAIN. It’s up to Lena to unleash her inner dinosaur like never before — to save the coop and show this silly bunch of chickens how to stand up for themselves. And when Madeline’s science fair project shows that chickens are the closest living relatives in the world to dinosaurs, Lena’s family finally starts to see that — holy hen house! — they are all dinosaurs too!

The Great Dinosaur Sleepover
Written by Linda Bailey
Illustrated by Joe Bluhm
44 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover
ISBN 9780735269231 | Tundra Books
Jake loves dinosaurs, so with his birthday coming up, he knows just what kind of party he wants — a dinosaur sleepover! Dino games, dino balloons, dino cake. Dino everything! But when the big day arrives, his friends all come down with the flu, and the party seems to be on the edge of extinction. Then, in the middle of the night, Jake hears a strange noise and goes to investigate. To his surprise, he finds some prehistoric party guests right there in his living room! They’ve invited themselves in to make sure Jake has a birthday he’ll never forget — just don’t tell the T-Rex! An unforgettable birthday tale with huge laughs and heart, this newest picture book from acclaimed author Linda Bailey celebrates friendship, inclusion and fun – and is brought to life with magnificent, cinematic artwork from award-winning animation director and illustrator Joe Bluhm.

If You Happen to Have a Dinosaur
Written by Linda Bailey
Illustrated by Colin Jack
40 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Paperback
ISBN 9781774887707 | Tundra Books
If you happen to have a dinosaur, lying around your living room, and you don’t know what to do with it . . . why don’t you use it as a can opener? It will make a terrific nutcracker too! There are oodles of uses for a dinosaur — from a fine umbrella to an excellent kite and a dandy pillow, not to mention a reliable burglar alarm and the perfect excuse to forget your homework. This delightfully absurd exploration of the domestic uses of dinosaurs — and the things dinos just aren’t good for at all — is guaranteed to tickle funny bones and spark imaginations. If you read carefully, you’ll learn how to make your dinosaur last a very long time.

Princesses Versus Dinosaurs
Written by Linda Bailey
Illustrated by Joy Ang
40 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Paperback
ISBN 9781774883655 | Tundra Books
This is a princess book! No, it’s a dinosaur book! No, it’s . . . a T. rex book? A dragon book? A rubber ducky book?! From Linda Bailey, award-winning and critically acclaimed author, and Joy Ang, Adventure Time-artist and illustrator of the Mustache Baby series, comes an irresistibly irreverent picture book in which plucky princesses and determined dinosaurs have a battle royale over whose book this is. When they start calling in the big guns — or rather, the big carnivores — and decide to build a wall to resolve their differences, princesses and dinosaurs alike learn a thing or two about open-mindedness and sharing.

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Window Wednesday

#WindowWednesday: We are incredibly fortunate to have stores create window features of our books. We want to highlight their amazing work here on our blog for you to see (and perhaps you’ll discover a new local bookstore).

Another Story Bookshop
315 Roncesvalles Avenue, Toronto, ON M6R 2M6

Photo by: @anotherstorybookshop

Babar Books
Suite 2, 46 rue Ste-Anne, Pointe-Claire, QC H9S 4P8

Photo by: @babarbooks

Back Cove Books
651 Forest Ave, Unit 1, Portland, ME 04101

Photo by: @backcovebooks

Wild Rumpus
2720 West 43rd St., Minneapolis, MN 55410

Photo by: @wildrumpusbookstore

McNally Robinson Booksellers
1120 Grant Avenue, Unit 4000, Winnipeg, MB R3M 2A6

Photo by: @mcnallyrobinson

Inspired by:

Broken
By X. Fang
48 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover
ISBN 9781774882009 | Tundra Books
When Mei Mei accidentally breaks her ama’s favorite cup, she’s convinced it’s the end of the world. What if Ama is angry? What if she yells? What if she kicks Mei Mei out of her house? Mei Mei can’t face it. But when Mimi, the innocent cat who witnesses her crime, ends up being blamed, the guilt is too much! Mimi’s accusing eyes follow Mei Mei until she just can’t take it anymore, and the truth comes spilling out. With vibrant and moody cinematic illustrations and pitch-perfect pacing, X. Fang’s newest picture book is filled to the brim with comedic drama and the comforting sweetness of a grandparent’s forgiving hug.

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Creator Spotlight: Claire Hatcher-Smith

At Tundra Books, we want you to get to know and love our creators as much as you know and love their books. Our creator spotlight series will introduce you to the people behind some of your favorite titles . . . this week, say hello to Claire Hatcher-Smith!

About the Author:

CLAIRE HATCHER-SMITH is a speech and language pathologist who has worked with children with Down Syndrome for 35 years. Originally from the UK, she now lives surrounded by sea on Vancouver Island, with her husband, their teenage son and a Korean rescue dog. As well as writing, Claire runs groups for neurodivergent tweens and teens, focusing on self/other awareness, self-esteem and self-advocacy skills.

Q&A with Claire Hatcher-Smith:

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
I think I’m living here! I backpacked across Canada in 1992 and fell in love with Vancouver Island. The air, the ocean, the forest. The people are pretty nice too. At least, I like the one I married. 

What’s one thing that can instantly make your day better?
Walking the dog. Even when I wake up blurry, even when it’s raining, getting outside and moving around, not to mention watching her live her best life, always lifts my mood. And walking is usually the best way for me to get my ideas flowing and to work through any really tricky plot knots.

Which meal is your favorite: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?
It has to be breakfast (though I will happily eat excessively buttered toast at any time of day).

What’s the best concert you’ve ever been to?
Ooh, this is going back a bit but I was lucky enough to be in London in 1991 when Pavarotti gave a free concert in Hyde Park. It poured with rain, no one (including Princess Diana) could use an umbrella because it blocked the view of the stage and we were soaked to the skin, but the whole evening was completely magical. 

What do you look for in a friendship?
Kindness, empathy and acceptance. Plus a passion for books, coffee and wine.

Books by Claire Hatcher-Smith:

A Skeleton in the Closet
By Claire Hatcher-Smith
240 Pages | Age 10+ | Hardcover
ISBN 9781774885116 | Tundra Books
Twelve-year-old Mizzy dreams of being a detective and she won’t let anything stand in her way — not her reputation for tall tales, or her embarrassing fear of escalators, and definitely not her Down syndrome. Dumped for the summer with cousins who’ve outgrown her, Mizzy feels even more sidelined than usual. But when she discovers Great Aunt Jane’s diaries in a locked wardrobe in their spare room, and realizes her aunt didn’t just die in her sleep but under suspicious circumstances, everything changes. What’s more . . . someone in the family appears to have been involved. Under the guise of a family tree project for school, and armed with a brand-new set of Pip-Squeaks markers, Mizzy grabs the chance to prove herself to her cousins — and the world.

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Creator Spotlight: Stephanie Graegin

At Tundra Books, we want you to get to know and love our creators as much as you know and love their books. Our creator spotlight series will introduce you to the people behind some of your favorite titles . . . this week, say hello to Stephanie Graegin!

About the Author:

STEPHANIE GRAEGIN makes books for hedgehogs and humans of all ages. She spends her days and nights observing, recording and drawing the adventures of her hedgehog friends and neighbors. Her picture books include Little Fox in the Forest, Fern and Otto and The Long Ride Home. Stephanie has also illustrated numerous other children’s books, such as the Heartwood Hotel series. She lives in New York.

Q&A with Stephanie Graegin:

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
I’m pretty happy with living in New York City. It has everything I like in one place: great art museums, tons of bookstores, great food, beautiful parks, and four seasons.

What’s one thing that can instantly make your day better?
Chocolate. Feeling like things are “working” while writing, or making a drawing that feels just right. And I always feel better after a run, because it feels like an accomplishment.

Which meal is your favorite: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?
Dinner, because it’s a time to unwind and relax. Especially if it’s Friday night sushi being eaten while watching a favorite show.

What’s the best concert you’ve ever been to?
Sufjan Stevens for a Celebrate Brooklyn concert. It was transcendent, he’s an unbelievable performer. The concert was outside in Prospect Park on a hot summer day. It started pouring buckets of rain which somehow made the whole experience more magical.

What do you look for in a friendship?
Kindness. Bonus points if we can talk about books for hours.

Books by Stephanie Graegin:

Everyday Bean
By Stephanie Graegin
56 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover
ISBN 9781774886205 | Tundra Books
Meet Bean, a very tiny hedgehog. She loves ghosts, swings and a stuffie called Clem. Meet Bean’s grandma. She loves strawberries, sweaters and tiny Bean burritos. And they both love stories. In ten tiny stories we follow Bean and her grandmother through adventures of the everyday. Bean loses her bad mood in a meadow and Grandma thinks she sees a ghost (don’t worry it’s just Bean!) — and there’s even a story with giant strawberries. This first volume in the Tiny Bean’s Big Adventures series by acclaimed author/illustrator and hedgehog friend/insider, Stephanie Graegin, is the perfect gift for little (and big) readers and hedgehog admirers everywhere.

Fern and Otto: A Picture Book Story About Two Best Friends
By Stephanie Graegin
40 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Paperback
ISBN 9780593481325 | Dragonfly Books
When best friends Fern, a bear, and Otto, a cat, go searching for an exciting story in the forest, they have different ideas about what that means. Fern thinks they should stop and watch a race between a tortoise and a hare, but Otto worries that a tortoise is too slow to be exciting. Fern thinks listening to the three brothers talking about how to build a house is incredibly interesting, but Otto isn’t convinced. Along the way, the two friends meet a little girl in red who is off to visit her grandmother (and a wolf headed the same way!), a cranky girl complaining that her porridge isn’t the right temperature, and many others. But it’s not until they run into a big scary witch that they can both agree: this is not the kind of excitement they had in mind. With irresistible illustrations and tons of charming details, this is a delightful fantasy that proves the best adventures are the ones you share.

Little Fox in the Forest
By Stephanie Graegin
40 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Paperback
ISBN 9780553537895 | Random House Studio
When a young girl brings her beloved stuffed fox to the playground, much to her astonishment, a real fox takes off with it! The girl chases the fox into the woods, with her friend, the boy, following close behind, but soon the two children lose track of the fox. Wandering deeper and deeper into the forest, they come across a tall hedge with an archway. What do they find on the other side? A marvelous village of miniature stone cottages, tiny treehouses, and, most extraordinary of all, woodland creatures of every shape and size living there. But where is the little fox? And how will they find him? Stephanie Graegin’s oh-so-charming illustrations are simply irresistible, and readers young and old will want to pore over the pages of this delightful fantasy adventure again and again.

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Creator Spotlight: Shauntay Grant

At Tundra Books, we want you to get to know and love our creators as much as you know and love their books. Our creator spotlight series will introduce you to the people behind some of your favorite titles . . . this week, say hello to Shauntay Grant!

About the Author:

SHAUNTAY GRANT is an award-winning author, poet, playwright, interdisciplinary artist, and associate professor of creative writing at Dalhousie University. She is the author of a number of picture books, including My Fade is Fresh, which garnered multiple starred reviews, Sandy Toes: A Summer Adventure, Snowy Mittens: A Winter Adventure and When I Wrap My Hair. A former poet laureate for the City of Halifax, her picture book Africville won the 2019 Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award and was a finalist for the 2018 Governor General’s Literary Awards, the 2019 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Awards, and the 2019 Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia Masterworks Arts Award.

Q&A with Shauntay Grant:

Bright Lights and Summer Nights takes readers on a luminous bedtime journey through a summery dreamworld. Can you share what inspired you to write this enchanting bedtime story and the themes you wanted to explore?

This story was inspired by the warmth, magic, and music of summer. Lullabies and laughter. Carnivals and moonlight. And the wonder of dreams.

Poetry often relies on musicality and rhythm. How do you ensure that your picture book’s text has a soothing, rhythmic quality that makes it perfect for bedtime reading?

I recite the poem out loud – to myself, to my children. It’s important to me that the words resonate both on and off the page.

Your previous works often reflect cultural and personal influences. How do your own experiences and background inform the stories you choose to tell, particularly in this new book?

Strangely, I wasn’t thinking about specific childhood or other influences. Though when I read the story, I do see that some of my favorite things ended up in the book – moonlight, starlight, carousels . . .

Do you have a favorite poetic form or style that you enjoy writing in, particularly for children’s literature? How do you decide which form best fits the story you want to tell?

It really depends on how the story or poem emerges at first. Usually a line or sequence of lines will come to mind. I’ll study the rhythm of those lines and if a form emerges, I may play around with that. With this book, the phrase “bright lights and summer nights” came to me as a possible book title. After a while I thought: What if the title became the first line? What if the second line began with the last word of the first line? And so on. The poem just seemed to grow from there. 

What message or feeling do you hope parents and children will take away from reading your book together at bedtime? How do you hope it will impact their nightly routine and dreams?

The text is quite sparse leaving lots of room to imagine. Zach’s illustrations are warm and inviting. So I hope the book inspires warm thoughts at bedtime, and more magical dreams.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers, especially those interested in writing poetry and picture books for children? What are some key elements they should focus on to create engaging and memorable stories?

Poetry uses tools that speak to children like rhythm, rhyme, assonance and alliteration. Playing around with these and exploring the musicality of language can help strengthen your skills as far as poetry and writing for kids.

Books by Shauntay Grant:

Bright Lights and Summer Nights
Written by Shauntay Grant
Illustrated by Zach Manbeck
40 Pages | Ages 2-5 | Hardcover
ISBN 9781774883662 | Tundra Books
Fireflies and mystic moon
Mystic moon and brilliant night
filled with friends and firelight
On a hot summer night, Mother Moon soothes a little star baby who won’t go to sleep. With her magic, she spins a warm, lyrical tale of friendship and fun: a dreamy summer evening set beneath a blanket of twinkling stars as children and forest friends with balloons enjoy a country fair with a carousel and caramel apples before taking a fantastical trolley ride to a marvelous, light-filled destination. A captivating book, sure to be picked up night after night, that will send all little star babies off to dreamland.

My Fade Is Fresh
Written by Shauntay Grant
Illustrated by Kitt Thomas
32 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover
ISBN 9780593387085 | Penguin Workshop
When a little girl walks into her local barbershop, she knows she wants the flyest, freshest fade on the block! But there are so many beautiful hairstyles to choose from, and the clients and her mother suggest them all: parts, perms, frizzy fros, dye jobs, locs, and even cornrows! But this little girl stays true to herself and makes sure she leaves the shop feeling on top with the look she picks! Author Shauntay Grant’s sweet, rhyming story encourages young girls to be self-confident and celebrates the many shapes and forms Black hair can take. Through their stunning illustrations, Kitt Thomas is able to bring life and movement to the versatile styles featured in this book.

Tundra Book Group